Karting, A Safe Sport

Courtesy: teamtonic-teambuilding.com

Unlike other types of motor sports, karting is by far the safest. Sometimes, kart racers suffer injuries out of crashes in the circuits but most often, these are only minor ones. It is also a plus that karts are planted closely to the ground so that they do not easily flip over except for cases that involve collision with other karts.

General Safety Of The Driver

Just like any other sport however, karting entails safety precautions that must be properly observed. A good karter knows how to keep safe on and off the circuit. But it does not mean that one should be a really good karter to enjoy the sport, in terms of safety it only takes a lot of common sense. Here are a few general tips:

• In all karting circuits, there will always be a briefing of the session. During this time, the rules are given as well as the safety instructions. Always remember to listen carefully to these important guidelines. Besides, it will only take you a couple of minutes so take it seriously because it’s worth it.

• The safety clothes are provided most of the time in the karting packages. For occasional karters, the basic outfit is sufficient enough to go karting and this includes the karting suit, protective gloves and the helmet. Most of the time, footwear is not part of the package so it’s best to just bring one. Choose trainers that are not thick-soled so that you can still properly feel the pressure that you are putting into the pedals. As for serious Go karters, the necessary clothes will no longer be provided since they already have their own.

• It is also advisable to put on rubber ear plugs that will help regulate the hearing of the high pitch of the motor and thus avoid any damage to the ears.

Safety In Terms Of Handling The Go Kart

It does not only require knowing the general rules, it is also important to note the mechanics of handling the Go kart. This will increase the safety of the ride. Some good tips include:

• Maintenance of the Go karts must be at the highest standard.

• For added protection, a lot of circuits build safety barriers around the track for instances of crashes.

• See to it that the tires of the equipment have been properly checked. Make it sure that they have the right pressure otherwise, the Go kart will be unstable. This will affect the maneuvering of the Go kart.

• The fuel supply of your Go kart must also be checked. Once refueling is needed, see to it that the engine is not heated or still running. It should also be noteworthy not to get the fuel to reach the filler neck and make sure the cap is screwed back tightly to avoid leaking out.

• Lastly, once the Go kart starts to make very unusual noises, vibrations and the like, stopping it as soon as possible will prevent any serious danger. Remove the wire of the spark plug and take it for inspection since there might be a damage inside that could have caused the strange noises.

For starters, karting safety measures are not as difficult to observe. They are just as practical, straightforward and logical. Just always stick to these tips and you should be ending up a safer karter!

Kart Racing 101

Kart racing is a form of motor sport, and one of the most inexpensive ways to go fast on four wheels and race around in a competitive environment. It uses open-wheeled vehicles that are powered by small engines, in vehicles that weigh only around 160 lbs without the driver. With that little weight to haul around, even using diminutive engines, these things can reach speeds in excess of 100 mph. That’s fast in anybody’s book.

The Hardware Used In Kart Racing

Compared to other forms of motor sport, the hardware in kart racing seems entry-level, and in fact it is. Engines are simpler in these vehicles, and don’t require that much maintenance in larger, more expensive engines. The chassis construction of kart racers are of tube steel, which holds the engine and drivetrain components in place, as well as serving as the suspension, since karts don’t have springs or dampers to make sure that the tires put the power down to the ground.

There are a few differences in concepts when it comes to chassis design, because since the steel tubes also serve as the vehicle’s suspension, then it needs to be adjustable, so that traction and vehicle behavior can also be adjusted according to track conditions.

Driver Factor

In karting, because it is a form of racing that has good speed, close competition, and intense precision due to its small size and maneuverability, the driver factor of the race is higher compared to other forms of motorsport. So much depends on the driver because of the fact that it depends on the judgment of the driver to take the vehicle as close to the apex of a corner as is humanly possible. This translates to just centimeters on track, and it also takes a fair amount of courage to take a vehicle to its limits, and have a track barrier that close to you, corner after corner.

Learning While Karting

Due to the inexpensive nature of the sport, karting is also used as a tool to teach aspiring drivers the basics of racing techniques, because much of the underlying concepts of racing karts apply also to other forms of motor sports, and this is a form of racing that can exemplify the importance of good technique more than any other sport. Numerous drivers have used karting as a stepping stone to proceed to higher forms of motorsport, and not a few superstar drivers have karting experience as their foundation on racing.

Racing Types

As is the norm for most paved-venue races in other forms of motor sport, kart racing also uses the same formats for races. These may be generally classified as circuit, sprint, or even speedway events. In circuit and sprint races, drivers must take their machines through left and right corners, and the course layout either mainly going clockwise or anticlockwise for circuit and endurance races.

Sprint races don’t have the ending of a race course beginning another lap, and as such, can be considered a one-lap race. Circuit and endurance racing rules vary depending on the class and specific race type. Some other endurance racing competitions run vehicles continuously, even for 24 hours, with 2 or more drivers per vehicle.

Another form of kart race, called an enduro-sprint race, is a form that combines sprint racing and endurance, with continuous running of vehicles without pitstops for 30 minutes of more.

How to Achieve A Karter’s Full Potential

Competitive karting equipments are nothing if its driver does not have the excellent physical condition required to achieve the fullest potential of the Go kart. Perhaps, many of us think that it being properly fit is enough but really it doesn’t only require being a health buff to achieve the highest level of performance in the circuit. It also takes tuning up the mind to really excel in this kind of sport. Let us look at four essential requirements to keep up with a great karting performance.

Fitness

Over the years, it has been proven that karters while racing revealed high pulse rates between three to four times than normal resulting to mind blackouts which lead to loss of focus on the track.

The rule follows that the more fit you are, the less oxygen is being used by your body under a case of stress. With relation to the driver, the less oxygen that the body uses, the more there is for the brain thus lightning reaction times as well as mental alertness is maintained.

To have this kind of fitness, it is recommended that you engage in activities such as aerobics, running and the like.

Strength

It is already a known fact that a driver should be having the proper training required by his body to produce the required level of performance.

The hands and the lower arms are very essential to the performance of the race driver and therefore, they should be in excellent physical condition when racing. To maintain the proper condition of your hands and lower arms, an exercise which involves using a weight of 7kg suspended from a single 25mm round tube by a meter of rope should suffice.

Wind the tube with your hands and by raising the weight, it builds up important muscles. At least ten sets of this will do. However, doing the exercise should not end up being some kind of a body builder. Remember, every muscle needs oxygen and the bigger body you have, the more oxygen it needs resulting to greater energy needs and eventually triggers stress.

Nothing beats the race strength that one can get out of practicing every now and then. Do it at least every week.

Diet

The karter’s diet must be properly regulated before the race. It is hard for the body to easily digest food. Blood, used for the purpose of digestion makes us feel lethargic so there should be proper diet just before the race. Food that are slow digesting must be avoided such as eggs, meat and the like.

Moreover, it also takes a karter to engage into a longer-term of nutritional programs to keep the body metabolism of the driver in condition. Eat the kind which has complex carbohydrates that are easily digestible and those that have a great amount of energy content.

Psychology Of Winning

Lastly, getting your head all together by means of going over in your mind each maneuver before the race completes the entire technique of achieving a driver’s fullest potential. At least go through the race in your mind everyday. By mentally picturing out the actions that you are going to take for how many times, it will help you when you are already becoming tired because the subconscious often has stronger control over the body’s actions than the conscious thoughts in our head.

To sum it all up, the five requirements to put into mind in order to win any race includes the well prepared karting equipment, proper fitness, enhanced physical strength, proper diet and above all, a good psychology of winning.

Go Kart Engines

For beginners in the karting sport, it is essential to know the system of the Go kart with which you will ride in on the track. It will not only educate you but also help you to keep a safe ride.

Among the different parts of the Go kart, the next most important element after the chassis is the engine. Today, a lot of brand new state-of-the-art Go karts are already built with their own engines so there should be no more problem finding one while for those who plan to build your own Go karts, choosing the perfect engine is one issue to face. It is best to go for engines that suit your demands as a karting enthusiast.

Off The Shelf Engines

This type of engine is designed primarily for use of only a short period of time. They have this aluminum cylinder bore that can be rubbed against a steel piston ring thus creating a great deal of friction. Because of this, they do not last very long and therefore, are not a good choice for those who intend to do the sport a lot.

As for larger models, they have this cast iron cylinder, a variety that is more expensive than aluminum. However, this type lasts longer so it may be a good option to consider.

For some engines of this type, an electric start is built on them and along with this is an alternator that allows them to power a light and even charge batteries.

Motorcycle Engines

The most popular and by far the most versatile type of engines are the motorcycle engines since not only can they be used for racing on tracks but also for the off road Go karting. They don’t need a lot of modification to fit a used or self-constructed Go kart. However, this type of engine is one that is hard to find.

Lawnmower Engines

A horsepower of three to five, these engines are relatively powerful ones. Unlike the previous type of engine, these are not difficult to find. Nonetheless, there are a number of downsides. They are not really fast. They are also difficult to adapt with to fit a particular Go kart’s needs.

Another disadvantage for using this type of engine is that upon running on a vertical pin, it requires a lot of work so that it will be able to run on the horizontal pin demanded by Go karts. As a result, there is a risk of piston failure since the engines are primarily designed to settle for that same way up.

Other Sources

There are also other sources of engines that can be used for your Go kart. These include moped engines, generator engines, tractor lawnmower engines, chainsaw engines and car engines. Some of them may be easy to adapt with while others may turn out to be dangerous and really challenging to become accustomed to.

Choosing the right kind of engine may be quite a challenge especially when you are having your Go kart built on you own considering that the best ones are not as easy to take hold of. For regular karters, brand new Go karts are probably the best option.

For safety reasons, its best to acquire the help of a professional or perhaps an experienced karter to have the engine fit since it is quite a risky procedure to get it done.

A New or Pre-owned Go Kart?

The Go karting industry has been increasingly attracting a lot of sports enthusiasts.  A lot of those who began karting only as a recreation had their enthusiasm in this sport grow into something deeper that they chose to pursue karting as a career. And when one chooses to take this sport seriously, it is a requirement that he/she has his/her own karting machine and all the necessary equipment for the race.

It is quite a difficult decision finding the perfect Go kart since we all have our own individual karting needs and Go karts differ largely with the different karting demands of the driver. However, there are some helpful tips for finding your perfect Go kart.

Determine Whether To Buy A New Or Pre-owned Go Kart

Before looking for the right type of Go kart, you must first determine whether you will go for a brand new Go kart or for a pre-owned one.

For racers who do not have sponsorships, it is best to consider the amount of money that you are willing to spend to buy a Go kart.

New Go Karts

Of course, the brand new Go karts require a considerable amount of money but with that, there is an assurance that you will be paying for a competitive karting machine. Quality is always worth the extra bucks that you would have to expend. That is why sponsorships have been very useful for most drivers particularly for those who do not have enough financial resources to cope up with this kind of career.

Always make it sure the Go kart you are buying is in perfect and excellent condition and that it should not have been used in any karting activity.

Second-hand Go-karts

Since not everyone gets to afford a brand new kart, a used Go kart is probably the best option there is. Buying a second Go kart has of course a downside, that is, it may not be as competitive as a brand new one. See to it that it has the important features that you will need before you buy it.

Buying Go Karts Online

A lot of Go karts are now sold online such as those on eBay and purchasing these Go karts are really easy. However, one great disadvantage that makes this option one that is not really advisable is that there are those sellers who tend to lie with regards to the condition of the equipment and this is obviously to the detriment of the buyer/driver.

Buying a Go kart demands inspection so that you will see for yourself any faults in the equipment before you pay for it.

Choose Go karts that are not as old as five years and those that suffered only minor deterioration. Above all, see to it that the parts are still complete. If they lack special parts, it may be best to opt for a brand new Go kart instead since it will save you more than buying these lacking parts. Besides, a lot of these special parts may be rare thus requiring not only a significant amount of money but also time and effort to complete the machine.

Always remember, buying your own Go kart requires a really good amount of inspection since you will not only be losing value for what you paid for but you might also be compromising your own safety.

What are the Kart Racing Formats?

In karting, there are three kinds of racing formats. These are Sprint racing, Endurance racing and Speedway racing. For those who are still unfamiliar of this type of motor sport, this article should help you learn getting through the basics especially for those who are planning to get themselves really involved in this sport.

In the US and United Kingdom as well as the other parts of Europe, Speedway racing is the most popular type.

Sprint Racing

Unlike the other racing formats, this is the type that is available to everyone as this is the ones normally offered in most karting circuits particularly for those who only want to experience the sport merely as a pastime instead of a racing competition. Children ages 8 and up can already take on the sprint racing.

This type normally takes place on tracks similar to that of road circuits having both the left and right turns. The tracks may range from one-fourth mile to over one mile in length. However, there are still other tracks that are longer and offer a greater period of racing time.

A sprint race typically lasts for only fifteen minutes thus, requiring only a number of laps to be finished. However, some may be shorter but others do not tend to really go beyond the average time period and the racing is usually done during daytime. In this racing format, it is the speed as well as the successful overtaking of the racer that is of utmost importance to truly succeed.

Normally, there are only three qualifying rounds to determine who will move forward to the last round wherein the scoring calculations will be used as the basis for deciding who takes home the trophy positions in the said event.

Endurance Racing

For Americans, Endurance racing is commonly termed “Enduro racing”. From its name, the race tests the endurance of both the machine and the driver that is probably why most of the time, the competitors are exceptionally experienced drivers. These races last much longer than the sprint type. Racing period may range from about half an hour or may even reach twenty-four hours in the track. However, longer races require the use of more than one karter. The tracks can go as long as 4 miles and at least 1.5 miles taking place on asphalt road circuits

Generally, for this type of race, skills such as reliability and consistency coupled with pit strategy are given great importance than speed.

Speedway Racing

With only left turns in the course, this race takes place on oval road circuits composed of either asphalt or clay. Ranging from one-sixth to one-quarter mile long, it has two corners with four corners for the left turns and may be run day or night but since this format is an excellent challenging race, it is already a usual scenario that these dirt track races are done during the night. The races take four laps for trophy dashes or may even reach twenty laps for main events.

The two formats of Speedway racing are:

• The IKF race which has two heats comprising of ten laps. The concluding positions serve as the basis for determining the starting positions of the twenty-lap race.

• The WKA race use the qualifying times and whoever has the fastest recorded qualifying time takes on the first position in the order of the race for the main event.